Things to Do in the Hunter Valley: Wine, Dine & Unwind

A mere two-hour drive from Sydney, the Hunter Valley beckons with a laid-back charm that's about more than uncorking bottles.

Beyond the cellar doors and wine tasting experiences, the Hunter region boasts rolling green landscapes, gourmet delights, and cosy cottages with fireplaces.

It's a locale steeped in charm and romance, inviting you to savour the decadence of Australia's oldest wine region, whether you take it in while horse riding, hot air ballooning or sipping on local wines.

Consider a long weekend escape immersed in the Hunter Valley's allure, exploring hidden gems and enjoying a Sitchu-style escape. Here's the local lowdown on the best things to do in Hunter Valley.

éRemo Restaurant

Before you’ve even seen the menu, éRemo Restaurant will have you swooning. The crown jewel of Spicers Hunter Valley Guesthouse, you'll be greeted by elegant interiors adorned with spectacular lighting, immaculate table settings and an epic wine collection.

With a modern Australian influence, prepare for a culinary expedition across Italy, unbound by regions or borders. Designed to share, snack on the likes of salumi and fried zucchini flowers before feasting on homemade pasta, dry-aged meats, and whole rock lobster. 

57 Ekerts Rd, Pokolbin

Sabor Dessert Bar

While hitting a cellar door or joining one of many wine tours would be the obvious choice, a visit to Pokolbin’s Lambloch Estate is a close second when listing the best things to do in Hunter Valley.

The wildly popular Sabor Dessert Bar entices sugar addicts from near and far with its multi-award-winning Portuguese Chocolate Mousse, decadent cakes, pastries, hand-made chocolates, Portuguese tarts, and gourmet ice cream.

Go for the sweets and stay for the awe-inspiring views across Brokenback Mountain Range.

2342 Broke Road Pokolbin

Yellow Billy Restaurant

Named after Yellow Billy, the bush ranger who roamed the Hunter Valley in the 1860s, this restaurant focuses on fire. With a custom-made fire pit, Yellow Billy has created flexible sharing menus.

The perfect meat and wood pairings and relationships with local artisans create memorable dishes. Think Pukara Estate lamb ragu and paprika-rubbed Little Hill Farm Chicken. It’s like tasting the Hunter Valley on a plate. 

697 Hermitage Road, Pokolbin

Muse Dining

Located at Hungerford Hill Winery, this fine dining restaurant is the ultimate date night spot. It serves local produce most deliciously, via a five-course seasonal menu.

After dining here, you'll find yourself booking your next trip to the Hunter just to enjoy the delicious Muse Dining fare, one more time. 

2450 Broke Road, Pokolbin

EXP. Restaurant

Food is central to the EXP. experience (pun 100% intended) with the culinary offering practically perfected.

The six-course tasting menu (also available for vegetarians) is downright delicious. With plates ranging from succulent seafood and locally sourced meat to vegetables and sorbet, this is an absolute must-add to your list of things to do in Hunter Valley. 

2188 Broke Road, Pokolbin

1813 Wines

1813 Wines is the cellar door of Tinonee Vineyard Estate – which happens to be one of our favourite places to stay in the Hunter Valley.

You’re encouraged to wander through the vines, pick a bunch of grapes in the summertime and make sure to book a tasting to experience everything the estate has to offer.

1813 Cellar Door, 1273 Milbroadale Road, Broke

Boydell's Cellar Door

Stop off in the historic town of Morpeth to sample some of Boydell's critically acclaimed small-batch drops. This boutique winery has won a plethora of awards, not to mention the glowing accolades from prestigious critic James Halliday!

Tastings run from Wednesday through until Sunday and can be paired with a platter of local cheeses, or book into the restaurant where you can sit down to a delicious menu of local, seasonal classics. 

2 Green Street, Morpeth

Whispering Brook

A charming winery and olive grove, Whispering Brook will transport you to the heart of Greece. Their unique tasting experience combines handcrafted olive oil with a selection of their finest vintages.

Learn about olive cultivation, harvest, and artisan methods of olive and olive oil production, all the while sipping on some of their signature Hunter blends. 

Rodd Street, Broke

Château Élan Spa

Hunter Valley Day Spa at Château Élan presents a glamorous experience for those looking to relax the body and mind. Zen out in the luxuriously appointed treatment suites and let the magic of massage and rejuvenating facials bring you back to life.

For an indulgent spa day, look no further than the Total Indulgence Package – a head-to-toe pamper featuring mineral spas, an infrared steam sauna, balneotherapy, massage, a facial, a mini pedicure, and lunch with wine. 

Vintage Drive, Pokolbin

Pukara Estate Tasting Room

If you thought that wine, cheese, and chocolate were all the best things the Hunter Valley had to offer, think again — thanks to Pukara Estate, there’s also premium olive oil and vinegar.

Proudly Australian-owned, pay a visit to their tasting room at Peppers Creek Village where you can sample a variety of their products, leaving you to decide which ones to take home with you.

Peppers Creek Village, Pokolbin

Take a Cooking Class

After spending time in this foodie wonderland, you'll undoubtedly want to start stepping up your home cooking game.

Whether you take a low and slow BBQ class at Majors Lane Cooking School or take a hands-on cooking class at Hunter Valley Cooking School, you'll pick up some valuable culinary skills!

Is Italian more your thing? Why not visit Our Italian Table for a cooking lesson in the beautiful Nicita Estate? 

Hit up a Hunter Valley Golf Course

We know that golf sometimes gets a bad (see also: boring) rap, however, the Hunter Valley golf courses are so beautiful that we can promise you that there will be no complaints.

Check out Hunter Valley Golf Club, the 18-hole championship golf course for premium facilities and natural beauty. Or go to Chateau Elan and check out the 18-hole Greg Norman-designed Vintage Golf Course.

If you're visiting the region with kids in tow, an afternoon at the Hunter Valley Aqua Golf and Putt Putt inside the stunning Hunter Valley Gardens is hard to beat!

Over Wine? Try a Brewery or Distillery Tour

Take a break from wine and check out Kawal Rock Distillery. A unique winery and distillery where you can choose from a variety of grape-based gin and brandy spirits that result in a fascinating flavour profile. Naturally, you can still get a wine fix in here - this is the Hunter Valley after all. 

Craft beer connoisseurs should make sure to stop in at The Mighty Valley Brewhouse, and if gin is much more your speed then you can't look past Gundog Estate.

Hot Air Ballooning with Balloon Aloft Hunter Valley

'Come fly with me...' For over 40 years Balloon Aloft has been offering balloon flights, offering one of the most scenic and fun things to do in Hunter Valley.

The sunrise hot air balloon flights last one hour, followed by a delicious gourmet champagne breakfast at Peterson House.

It's a memorable experience to share with your loved ones with a breathtaking birds eye view of the Hunter Valley!

Explore the Hunter Valley on Horseback

Live out your fantasies with a Hunter Valley activity that is straight out of Jane Austen or Bridgerton, with a horseback tour of the beautiful countryside and vineyards with Hunter Valley Horses.

Either take a horseback tour of local vineyards and ride between the vines or go old school with a horse and carriage tour! With Hunter Valley Classic Carriages, also operating in the region, you're downright spoilt for choice when it comes to wonderful ways to spend your day in the Hunter Valley.

The Lane Retreat

The Lane Retreat is a serene haven mere moments from the Hunter Valley Gardens. This unassuming escape features 60 studio retreats, each with a captivating view of the timeless Broken Back Range and the 1968 Bimbadgen vineyard.

You won't run out of things to do with this Hunter Valley gem. You can unwind by the pool, enjoy wine in the peaceful outdoor areas, discover gourmet delights at the Lane Pantry, or take the short drive to a range of cellar doors, including the popular Tulloch Wines.

409 Palmers Lane, Pokolbin

Château Élan at The Vintage

Whether flying solo, adventuring with the family, or seeking a quiet escape for two, Château Élan reigns supreme as the go-to spot to stay in Hunter Valley.

The private villas perch elegantly above the lush golf course, offering a refined yet luxurious retreat. Families can revel in spacious layouts and scenic views, while couples enjoy exclusive spa access in the spa suites, complete with a screened sanctuary courtyard for a touch of privacy. With its elevated position and impeccable amenities, it is the ideal hub for those crafting their unique list of things to do in Hunter Valley.

Vintage Drive, Pokolbin

Spicers Vineyard Estate

A perfect example of luxury accommodation in the Hunter Valley, Spicers is a boutique five-star retreat that offers twelve luxurious guest rooms and a guest house nestled between the property’s private vineyard and gorgeous surrounding bushland.

For bigger groups, the four-bedroom vineyard house has access to an outdoor barbecue area with a fire pit and a large outdoor pool. For couples, the romantic king suites are perfect.

During your stay make sure you carve out some time to visit Spa Anise and their renowned eatery Restaurant Botanica. 

555 Hermitage Road, Pokolbin

Casa La Vina

For a slice of Marrakesh magic in the heart of Hunter Valley,  Casa La Vina is the undisputed haven. This boutique retreat boasts three standalone villas, each a Moroccan-inspired escape ideal for a romantic rendezvous.

Amidst quality vineyards, guests often find themselves torn between sipping wines and lounging in the outdoor spa – a true dilemma of decadence.

The villas are adults-only and oozes of southwestern charm. They also feature private courtyards, built-in fireplaces, and a rustic touch. 

657 McDonalds Road, Pokolbin

Starline Alpaca Farmstay Resort

For an authentic taste of the Aussie countryside, book a stay at Starline Alpaca Farmstay Resort. The cottage-style digs are perfect for families, offering a relaxing escape surrounded by the Brokenback Ranges and the Yengo-Wollemi National Park.

Beyond misty mornings and clear night skies, the resort boasts a smorgasbord of activities. Dive into the swimming pool, unwind in the spa, or channel your inner Serena Williams on the tennis courts.

Little ones will be entertained at the children's playground, while the alpaca farm steals the show with its adorable, fuzzy friends. 

1100 Milbrodale Road, Broke

Vinden Estate Wines

In the heart of the Hunter Valley, the Vinden Family’s Estate seamlessly blends the art of winemaking with a touch of colonial charm.

This family-owned boutique winery is acclaimed for crafting award-winning wines, graciously opening its cellar door and inviting visitors to take a closer look into their vinous world.

The Estate's colonial homestead beckons for a memorable stay, waking up to the sun kissing the Brokenback Ranges. Bask in the tranquillity of the surrounding vineyards, and let the understated elegance of the 1840s homestead be your haven. 

138 Gillards Road, Pokolbin

The Dairy Cottage and The Residence at Tinonee Vineyard Estate 

Set in the charming village of Broke, this quaint two-bedroom Dairy Cottage beckons with a sense of charm and serenity. A romantic escape for couples – walk amongst the vines, cuddle up on the sofa next to the roaring fire, then sink into the beautiful period bath with a chilled glass of their signature Verdelho. Pure bliss.

For larger groups, the neighbouring and rather opulent Residence sleeps up to 18 guests and also has an outdoor swimming pool.

1273 Milbrodale Road, Broke

Loved our guide for the best things to do in the Hunter Valley and after more travel inspo? We've got plenty of getaways to inspire your next Aussie adventure. From gourmet decadence in the Bowral to bliss in Byron Bay, we've travelled around the country to bring you the best of Australia.

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